ENGLISH
REFERENCE

internship

n.
US //ˈɪntɝnˌʃɪp// UK //ɪntˈɜːnʃɪp// in·tern·ship
  1. 1 professional work experience (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a temporary job for a student or new worker to learn about a profession.

    a temporary position within an organisation, often unpaid or low-paid, designed to provide practical training for students or recent graduates.

    Example

    She spent her summer doing an internship at a local law firm to see if she liked the work.

    Example

    The candidate's resume was bolstered by a prestigious six-month internship at a leading architectural firm in London.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'do', 'complete', or 'undertake'.

    Teacher's tip

    In British English, this is often called a 'placement' or 'work experience' depending on the duration and the student's age.
Origin

From intern + -ship.

© 2026 English Reference